Council approves Blue Line station renovation contracts and awards East Metro transit service contract to Transdev
July 25, 2025 | Metropolitan Council, Agencies, Boards, & Commissions, Executive, Minnesota
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The Metropolitan Council on July 23 approved multiple transportation procurements: amendments and new contracts for Blue Line station renovations and a multiyear regular-route service contract in St. Paul and Anoka County.
Design and construction support: the council authorized an amendment to contract 23P050 with 4RM + ULA Architects for design and construction support on the Metro Blue Line Lake Street Midtown station renovation, increasing the contract by up to $1,245,107 to address stakeholder-driven scope changes and unforeseen conditions such as an underground storm sewer system. The council noted the project’s DBE (disadvantaged business enterprise) goal of 12% and that current spend is about 40% DBE.
Franklin Station: the council authorized contract 25P213 with Kimley-Horn for design and construction services for Franklin Station renovation, not to exceed $3,299,839. The renovation includes elevator tower work, platform replacement, shelter and canopy updates, improved wayfinding and multimodal access; the office of equity and equal opportunity established a 12% DBE goal and staff determined the proposer met DBE requirements.
Transit operations contract: the Metropolitan Transportation Services package for St. Paul and Anoka County regular-route service (contract 25P010) was awarded to Transdev North America. Staff reported a base value of approximately $46.9 million and a not-to-exceed contract amount of $56.2 million to allow up to 20% additional revenue hours under contract terms. An evaluation panel recommended Transdev’s proposal as advantageous to the council.
Council discussion: members cited community coordination and pedestrian access issues at Franklin Station, including fencing under Highway 55 and coordination with MnDOT and local partners to reopen pedestrian paths. Council members emphasized aligning station redesign with adjacent roadway and pedestrian improvements.
What the council did: motions to authorize the contract amendment and to approve the new contracts were moved, seconded and carried; the transit services contract award to Transdev was approved on an aye vote.
What to watch: staff said they will continue community engagement around station design, furnish construction schedules and coordinate with MnDOT and other roadway partners on pedestrian access and concurrent roadwork.
Design and construction support: the council authorized an amendment to contract 23P050 with 4RM + ULA Architects for design and construction support on the Metro Blue Line Lake Street Midtown station renovation, increasing the contract by up to $1,245,107 to address stakeholder-driven scope changes and unforeseen conditions such as an underground storm sewer system. The council noted the project’s DBE (disadvantaged business enterprise) goal of 12% and that current spend is about 40% DBE.
Franklin Station: the council authorized contract 25P213 with Kimley-Horn for design and construction services for Franklin Station renovation, not to exceed $3,299,839. The renovation includes elevator tower work, platform replacement, shelter and canopy updates, improved wayfinding and multimodal access; the office of equity and equal opportunity established a 12% DBE goal and staff determined the proposer met DBE requirements.
Transit operations contract: the Metropolitan Transportation Services package for St. Paul and Anoka County regular-route service (contract 25P010) was awarded to Transdev North America. Staff reported a base value of approximately $46.9 million and a not-to-exceed contract amount of $56.2 million to allow up to 20% additional revenue hours under contract terms. An evaluation panel recommended Transdev’s proposal as advantageous to the council.
Council discussion: members cited community coordination and pedestrian access issues at Franklin Station, including fencing under Highway 55 and coordination with MnDOT and local partners to reopen pedestrian paths. Council members emphasized aligning station redesign with adjacent roadway and pedestrian improvements.
What the council did: motions to authorize the contract amendment and to approve the new contracts were moved, seconded and carried; the transit services contract award to Transdev was approved on an aye vote.
What to watch: staff said they will continue community engagement around station design, furnish construction schedules and coordinate with MnDOT and other roadway partners on pedestrian access and concurrent roadwork.
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